THE WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION October2018 Edition 7 newsletter Welcome to the Seventh Edition of The White Ensign Association’s Newsletter

The heat and dust of this year’s long, hot summer and communities we help. seem to be well and truly behind us and the recent Our new partners include AFH Wealth Management, weather makes it feel like we have skipped Autumn Insignia Crew, Mitie, and Utility Warehouse. All have altogether and dived headlong into the great British an interest in recruiting former service personnel and winter. There has been much activity and demand we look forward to working with them in the future. for services since the Association’s birthday event in the Palace of Westminster back in July and things This edition has updates and articles from some have certainly not slowed down, making the WEA’s of our new and existing partners, including an in- Diamond Anniversary year one of our busiest. depth article and case study from one of our charity partners, HighGround. We also have an interesting The Regional Managers have worked a full programme article with information and statistics about the Royal of visits to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines bases, Navy and Maritime Britain and an excellent piece on providing a series of our Financial Awareness and the Super Yacht industry from Insignia Crew. Our Your Future presentations to a wide range of audiences valued partner, Associated British Ports launched across the trades and rank spectrums and conducting their Women in Maritime Charter in September and personal interviews, giving one to one advice this is featured in this edition, as is the British ex- covering all the subjects core to the WEA’s mission – Forces in Business awards, which took place earlier Personal Administration, Finance, Employment and this year. Resettlement. The next edition of the WEA Newsletter will be We have welcomed a number of new commercial published at the end of January 2019. Until then we organisations as Industry Partners in the past few wish all our partners, clients, supporters and wider months and look forward to working with them in friends all the best for the rest of 2018, Christmas and creating job opportunities for the Service Leavers, the New Year. Veterans, Reservists and family members across the

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NAVAL AND MARITIME BRITAIN BASIC INFORMATION & STATISTICS

and some relating to the wider maritime world ]

And now for some facts and figures to salt away for that vigorous debate at the bar or a very challenging game of trivial pursuit (all data has kindly been collated by our good friend Lt Cdr Lester May RN)

Royal Navy, Royal Marines & RFA ships

The Fleet in numbers - those RN ships and submarines not in or not yet in service highlighted

Aircraft carrier – 1 + 1 building LPD – 1 + 1 in reserve Type 45 Destroyer – 6 Type 23 Frigate – 13 Type 26 Frigate – 3 ordered + 5 more planned Type 31e Frigate – Competition relaunched: delivery of first of 5 frigates anticipated 2023 Ocean Survey Ship – 1 Echo Class Survey Ship – 2 Ice Patrol Ship – 1 River Class Patrol Ship – 3 (HM Ships Clyde (based in the Falkland Islands), Mersey, Tyne) River Class Patrol Ship (second batch) – 1 + 4 building Hunt Class MCMV – 6 Sandown Class MCMV – 7 Archer Class Patrol Boat – 16 Scimitar Class Patrol Boat – 2 (both at Gibraltar) Island Class Patrol Boat – 3 Coastal Survey Vessel – 1 Dreadnought Class SSBN – 3 building + 1 more planned Vanguard Class SSBN – 4 Astute Class Fleet Submarine – 3 + 4 building Trafalgar Class Fleet Submarine – 3 RFA Oiler & Replenishment Ship (RFA Fort Victoria) – 1 RFA Tide Class Fleet Tanker – 4 RFA Wave Class Fleet Tanker – 2 RFA Solid Support Ship – 2 RFA Primary Casualty Receiving Ship + Aviation Training – 1 RFA LSL – 3

3 Royal Navy aircraft(numbers not known):

F-35B Lightning II – at least 1 + X planned (809 NAS stands up in 2023) Merlin HM2 – ASW Merlin HC3/4 – Commando, 24 troops Wildcat HMA2 – ASW + Anti-ship Wildcat Mk 1 – Anti-tank, 8 troops Hawk T1 – Trainer King Air 350ER – Trainer Grob 120TP Prefect – Trainer

Royal Navy and Royal Marines Shore Establishments

Having looked at the assets afloat and in the air lets now remember the major units on land – the stone frigates under the White Ensign (RM units are in green).

Ministry of Defence (MoD), Whitehall > 1SL + Naval Staff Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol (+ sites at Yeovilton + Corsham) JHQ Northwood > Joint Forces Command (JFC) + Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), Taunton Fleet HQ, Whale Island > Fleet Commander, 2SL, COMUKAMPHIBFOR. COMUKMARFOR, CRF HM Naval Base Clyde > ACNS SM & FOSNI FOST (North)), COMFASFLOT, RNRMW (Scotland), 43 Cdo FPGRM HM Naval Base Devonport > COMDEVFLOT, RNRMW (West), 1 Asst Gp RM (+ 10 Trg Sqn (11 (ATT) Sqn at )), 539 Asst Sqn RM HM Naval Base Portsmouth > COMUKCSG, COMPORFLOT, CFPS, Naval Chaplaincy Service, RNPT,RNRMW (East), HQ CCF (RN), HMS Victory Horsea Island, Cosham > Fleet Diving Squadron, DDS Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth > RNLA HMS Caledonia + MoD Caledonia, > NRC SNI, RM Band Scotland HMS Collingwood > COMOT, MWC, MWS, RNLA, RM Band Collingwood, DSCIS HMS Drake > FOST (South), COMCORE, Hasler Company HMS Excellent > HQ BS RM, RNRMC HMS Heron – RNAS Yeovilton > CHF HQ + 727, 815, 825, 845, 846, 847, 848 Naval Air Squadrons, RNR Air Branch, RNRMW (Central), ASGp RM HMS Jufair – UK Naval Support Facility, Bahrain (commissioned 5 Apr 2018) HMS Nelson > RNRMW Hub, DCMH, RN PDTMC, RMSM, RM Band Portsmouth HMS Neptune HMS President > CRF) + 13 other RNR units + 5 RMR units nationwide HMS Raleigh > RNSMS, DMLS, RM Band Plymouth HMS Seahawk – RNAS Culdrose > SFDO, MASF + 736, 750, 814, 820, 824, 829, 849 Naval Air Squadrons HMS Sultan > DSEME, DSMarE, RNAESS, AIB, HMS Temeraire > RNSPT NAIC – RAF Northolt CTCRM Lympstone > RM Band CTCRM RM Bickleigh > 42 Cdo RM RM Chivenor > Cdo Log Regt RM RM Condor > 45 Cdo Gp RM RM Norton Manor > 40 Cdo RM RM > SBS Training, 148 FO BTY RA RM Stonehouse > COMATG, HQ RM, 30 Cdo IX Gp RM

4 The Merchant Navy + merchant shipping – some statistics

Having looked at those operating under the White Ensign let’s have a little look at those that sail under the Red Ensign and the world they operate in.

• Ships carry 90% of world trade. Some 95% by volume of UK trade – 75% by value – is by sea; significant internal trade goes by sea between the UK’s 700 ports (and each container sent by ship is one fewer lorry journey – less road and rail congestion). • There are some 1,850 UK-owned merchant vessels of all types. Infomarine lists 146 UK merchant ship owners and operators. • 47% of energy used in the UK is imported by sea (of which 13% is LNG). • Over 50,000 merchant ships sail the seven seas – 33% are bulk carriers, 21% general cargo ships, 14% tankers, 10% container ships, 22% ferries, cruise ships and specialist vessels. • 20 million containers are crossing the globe right now! One 18,000 TEU container ship today carries as much cargo as a 50-ship convoy in the Second World War. 10,000 containers are lost at sea each year! OOCL (in service 2017), one of a class of six of the world’s largest container ships, can carry 21,413 TEUs. • Liner shipping is the service of transporting goods by means of high-capacity, ocean-going ships that transit regular routes on fixed schedules. There are some 400-500 liner services, most sailing weekly, in operation today. Liner vessels, primarily in the form of container ships and roll-on/roll-off ships, carry about 60% of the goods by value moved internationally by sea each year. • Over 200 countries have ports open to container ships. In 2014, containers handled by all ports worldwide (including empties, trans-shipments and port handling) are estimated at more than 680 million TEUs. By total cargo volume, six out of the top ten ports in the world are in China – Singapore is second, Rotterdam fifth, Antwerp seventeenth and the highest-ranked UK ports are Grimsby and Immingham (71) and the Port of London (95). • The busiest UK container ports are Felixstowe (ranked 36 in the world), Southampton (58) and London (96). • While cruise ships will usually steam on passage at 20-24 knots, most cargo ships now, since around 2010, steam at 12 knots – ‘super-slow steaming’ – in order to reduce emissions and cut fuel costs. The Cutty Sark, and other clippers of the mid-19th century, made speeds of between 14 knots and 22 knots!.

Lets remember that 70% of the surface of the Earth is water and that it is estimated that there are some 3 million ships and boats at the bottom of the sea.

O

5 Insignia Crew individual approach is used in every case to ensure Armed Forces Professionals for no stone is left unturned surrounding questions asked and support needed, and Insignia Crew clients learn the Superyacht Industry that when they choose to engage with the business in order to meet their crewing demands, candidates have received a very individual and tailored service Having a purpose and being passionate about what meaning a strong understanding has been formed you do in business is critical to its success says between both parties, which allows credible feedback Andrew Holme, Founder and Managing Director of to be presented. Insignia Crew, a niche MLC compliant crew agency specialising in the placement of former Armed Forces Andrew comments “Insignia Crew is in a unique professionals into the superyacht industry. position as a business because those behind the business carry an in-depth understanding and As a former Royal Marine, Andrew’s passion is to knowledge across the three important verticals of build a sustainable business whose purpose is to operation. The Royal Marines, The Superyacht support Service Leavers in their desires to join an Industry and Recruitment. We believe that without ever-expanding and exciting industry, where demand an in-depth understanding of these verticals, our for exceptional people who carry multiple skill sets is business would not be credible and the ability to strong. secure the trust we seek from those we work with would be almost impossible”. “We are cautious about using the word ‘recruitment’ when explaining the Insignia Crew proposition to Andrew left the Royal Marines via medical discharge our wide and varied audience” explains Andrew, “be in 2001 after twelve years of distinguished service. that client or candidate alike. As a relatively youthful As with all Service Leavers he was a little unsure business, we have worked tirelessly to establish the how his future was going to pan out and with little Insignia Crew proposition as one that goes further than or no guidance around the ‘what next’ question as most, aiming to meet and exceed the expectations of he ‘walked out of the gate’ Andrew embarked upon a those who engage with us. One could say that we are sales career which led him to establish himself as an more than just another recruitment agency because award winning senior Regional Account Manager at we respect and understand the challenges and fears Timberland, a career which lasted over six years. faced by those who leave the Armed Forces. I think the holistic approach to those we support is very well A change in his personal circumstances in 2008 received”. allowed Andrew to pursue a lifelong ambition to work in the Superyacht industry. However, little did As a Service Leaver himself, Andrew has walked a Andrew realise that he would face resistance from the mile in the boots of others who have left the Armed industry recruitment agencies that he sought advice Forces and as such he recognises the importance of and guidance from. Upon arrival in Antibes, Andrew being a guiding light to those who require it. The experienced a very dismissive and extremely negative benefits of a focused approach to Insignia Crew response from the very people he had hoped would candidates are twofold: Candidates recognise that an help him find his dream job. At the age of 36 Andrew 6 was told in no uncertain terms that he was too old There is a defined rank structure aboard, strong for the industry and that his military background and monthly salaries, food and accommodation is associated skill sets would not be recognised or valued provided and there are set leave dates in place with - this despite him holding a Royal Navy Ships Diver some roles carrying a rotational option and should qualification converted to PADI, extensive seaborne you choose to make the superyacht industry your operational expertise from time served aboard HMS future career, there is a well-trodden path to follow in Ark Royal and various other large vessels deployed order to achieve further qualifications and associated globally, and an above average portfolio of industry promotion. recognised qualifications. Additionally, and importantly for those with a Not wishing to give up at the first hurdle and despite nomadic nature, some yachts travel great distances the bitter disappointment felt by Andrew having which means you’re never in one location for long. experienced such initial negativity from the industry, You work in close-knit teams where the best is he soldiered on and decided that it would be up to expected from you at all times and there is a sense him to find his first position aboard a large yacht. of collective responsibility between you all with a single goal in mind. The superyacht sector is a service A chance meeting whilst living in Antibes and an industry driven by high expectations and exceptional associated recommendation led Andrew to meet the quality in every instance. The goal is to deliver an Captain of M/Y Saint Nicolas, who was searching for absolutely outstanding service to those who pay your candidates who carried a military background to join wage, be they owners or guests - it really is no more the yacht. That meeting turned into an interview and complicated than that”. an offer of employment to join the yacht as a Deck/ Close Protection Officer. As the industry continues to evolve around the desires of the ultra- wealthy with a particular focus Various courses followed Andrew’s appointment, on exploration and utilising specialist equipment, notably an SIA Close Protection course and an there is no doubt that demand will increase for elite, Advanced Fire Fighting course. Andrew also multi skilled crew. There is an emerging trend in the completed his MCA yacht rating certificate whilst industry of superyacht owners wanting to do more aboard. than simply cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean. It is now not uncommon for yachts to venture to After nearly two years of service with M/Y Saint more remote cruising grounds and in some cases the Nicolas, Andrew left the yacht to join the Maritime Polar Regions. In so doing, the crews aboard need Security industry where he fast became a Team to be equipped with not only a positive, can-do mind Leader and oversaw in excess of 35 successful transits set but also a diverse skill set that will allow them to in the High Risk Area. Ending his years at sea, complete tasks in addition to that of a Deckhand or Andrew sought a land-based role and joined a niche Stewardess. recruitment agency as a Regional Director. Insignia Crew was brought to market with two Andrew’s experience aboard M/Y Saint Nicolas, where main goals in mind; to provide the industry and its he established a very robust network of industry discerning clientele with elite, qualified and multi- professionals all of whom kept saying “the industry skilled candidates and to provide trusted support to could do with more people like you”, made him realise those who have left or who are transitioning from that there must be others leaving or who had left the the Armed Forces, who aspire to join a growing and Armed Forces who had a desire to join the industry, exciting industry as a chosen new career. others who possessed the same drive, determination and willingness to learn as him and, importantly, Insignia Crew is delighted to now be a valued member people who carried a varied mix of skill sets that of the WEA and we very much look forward to serving perfectly matched those in demand from the industry those who leave the Royal Navy and Royal Marines today. The seed was sewn to form Insignia Crew. to the very best of our ability. Please get in touch by visiting www.insigniacrew.com - you can also follow Andrew goes on to say, “Those seeking to move into us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. the sector can expect an almost seamless transition.

7

ABP L AUNCHES WOMEN IN MARITIME CHARTER

ABP launches Women in Maritime Charter

In an event held in Whitehall and hosted by ABP on 10 September, over a hundred senior representatives of the UK’s maritime industries joined together to celebrate the launch of the Women in Maritime Charter.

The Charter, authored by members In the final speech of the evening, For information on ABP’s Gender Diversity of the Women in Maritime Taskforce, Julie Lithgow, Director of the Institute Commitment please visit: calls on signatories to take positive of Chartered Shipbrokers, and Chair of www.abports.co.uk/About_ABP/Gender actions to drive better gender balance, the Charter sub-group, paid tribute to her Diversity_Commitment particularly in leadership roles. The colleagues on the taskforce for their hard attendees were comprised of members work and urged business leaders to take of the ports, shipping, engineering and the next necessary steps to provide a journalism industries, as well as ministers “following wind” of support for women and members of wider Government. in the industry. ABP’s Chief Executive Officer, Henrik The event was bookended by two short Pedersen, spoke to the audience about films created by ABP, which showcased the benefits better gender balance can the roles that women already play within bring to businesses and outlined ABP’s the company, but also calling on more to three guiding principles in its approach consider a rewarding career in maritime, to diversity: Recruit; Respect; Reward. particularly in senior leadership roles. He also explained what Britain’s largest ports operator is doing to deliver against diversity goals and outlined elements of the company’s Gender Diversity Commitment. He said, “Business-wise I simply believe that we have a much stronger company when different voices are listened to. I have personally witnessed in the past twenty years that diversity is better for business.” The Shipping Minister Nusrat Ghani MP then gave an address where she spoke of the importance of building on the good work of the taskforce and maintaining momentum to drive real change. “It is my greatest wish to hold up the maritime industry as a shining beacon of progress on gender diversity,” she said, “Today, we moved a step closer to that vision. Now, we look forward to seeing the industry move beyond intent and into action.”

HighGround breaks new ground.

HighGround has recently agreed a partnership with The Royal Foundation, which marks another milestone for the charity, set up by Anna Baker Cresswell in 2013 to improve the employment and wellbeing potential of serving personnel and veterans using the green environment. The Charity works closely with the WEA and by the end of 2018, over 100 serving personnel and veterans will have experienced a Rural Week delivered by HighGround at Bicton College in , generously funded by St James’s Place Wealth Management, Greenwich Hospital, the Royal Marines Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund and the Soldiers’ Charity. Anna hopes that the partnership with The Royal Foundation will help the charity to attract corporate sponsorship for the 2019 Rural Weeks programme which starts in March 2019, thus enabling HighGround to reach more Service Leavers, earlier in their transition journey and putting Rural Weeks onto a long-term sustainable footing.

Cpl Rob Holbrook RM: For the past couple of years I have been scratching my head at what the future of employment outside of the Royal Marines held for me. I knew I wanted to leave, challenge myself elsewhere, take valuable lessons learnt and combine my love for the outdoors with something that pushed my comfort zone and to be proud of. Office bound I was not. And determined to find this elusive job or industry I attended the Resettlement Fair held by the RM Charity at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in autumn 2017. As I wandered around the various stalls, all headed up by smart ex servicemen and women advertising what successful businesses they had or believed us commandos would be interested in, I began to lose hope. After all didn't we join up to be outdoors, to challenge the elements and strive in what others would find uncomfortable and unnerving surroundings? Our office was not that of screens and pens and paper. But of land, sea and air. The woods, mud, rivers, rain and relentless terrain. I had almost given up hope with the suits when I noticed a woman with a stand in the corner of the room. Dressed in a familiar country checked shirt, and outdoor ready gilet, her advertising banner reading HIGH GROUND in green writing with the picture of a tree and "Life beyond the military" etched below it. YES! I was drawn to this stand and as any excited bootneck, blurted out that I wanted to know more. Anna introduced herself and in fact gave a 10 minute presentation to like minded guys who were keen to know what this organisation or company did or had to offer. 10 Amongst other inspiring and dedicated professional projects aimed at veterans, HighGround offered a "Rural Week" held at Bicton College. The time spent was intended to help any outdoor warrior seek a job in his or hers preferred environment outside the military. The week would be split into various talks, presentations and mini field trips to explore the vast and various array of jobs out there in the outdoor industry. I was subsequently loaded onto a course early in 2018. I arrived at Bicton eager to see what potential job lay ahead of me. Set in a beautiful location in the south west, Bicton College sits high above a pleasant lake, engulfed in many acres of picturesque stately land. It was the perfect scene for an introduction to "Life beyond the military." Once all the remaining students had arrived introductions were made and I was amazed at the difference in backgrounds. Some ex serving, some serving, some young some older, some bearing the scars of war in one form or another and all military in different regiments. But all sharing the same interest as each other. To want to work outdoors. The military bond instantly formed and the week started as if old comrades had reunited. Reunited in the fact we were all brothers in arms looking to go forth into the world outdoors. The week was fantastic. Starting with an icebreaker of archery instantly injecting morale and banter into the group we were on the road to a good week ahead of us. We received informative presentations by BASC, and more free pens than our pencil cases could carry. Walks around the campus having Horticulture explained to us. A chance to jump in and on the various heavy plant machinery held at the College and drive around in the mud. Boys with their toys at its best! The week continued with presentations in and out of the classroom. With my personal favourite, field trips! Back on the mini bus it was like the Boys on tour heading out to the next outdoors job line, pack lunches already eaten by 11. Hours out with Pig farmers, cattle farmers, Stables owners, greenkeepers, arable farmers and the RSPB. All of which thoroughly enjoyable and stacked with employment knowledge for us. Highlights being the Forest school trip, where fully grown military hardened veterans learnt how to make charcoal pencils and construct mice out of a bit of wood and a saw, making sure none of our fellow operatives were in the "blood circle" of the axe. For me however the last demo of the week with a company called Hi-Line, was what I was most looking forward to. A tree surgery company local to the South West (and to me) specialising in power line and railway tree clearance. The lads touring mini bus took us off road down a muddy track to a wooded area, home of the tree surgeon and my interests. We were greeted by a focused and directly speaking bearded tree Ninja who seemed to just appear out of the woods and a curly haired friendly woman who introduced herself as Kirsty and her tree Ninja associate, Matt. Matt a former Royal Marine himself, described his journey of leaving the corps into the world of civvy street as something familiar to that of my journey, all be it the start of the long road. I was instantly excited and nervous, as if I already knew this would be the challenge and outdoor job I desired to have.

11 Matt climbed the Oak tree as if Tarzan whilst Kirsty explained the roles, and history of the company. I knew I had the company I was looking for right in front of me and grabbed the paper hand out Kirsty was offering to us before the opportunity passed. It had both contact details and I explained that I would soon be getting in touch. Matt safely down from putting chimpanzees to shame we said our good byes and got back on the tour bus to head back to Bicton to discuss our respective job opportunities over a beer or two. The week was brilliant, all headed up by Anna who has started a charity that clearly knows what being a veteran is all about and what the world of the outdoors has to offer us like minded men and women. After making new friends and new contacts, the course dispersed thanking the lecturers and Bicton staff as we went. All thanking Anna for the opportunity she provided us and the great world of the outdoors we had been exposed to. Shortly after my Rural Week, I contacted Kirsty at Hi-Line to organise a work experience day in the not so distant future. A date was settled and on Monday 17th September 2018, I was picked up by Matt the tree climbing bearded Ninja in his truck and headed off to the woods. The morning was spent Inspecting the chainsaw we were to use and an introduction in chainsaw safety. Very important!

12 Once the saws were purring we got to work, felling small trees. Matt showed me the correct felling technique and I would imitate and practise. It's actually quite satisfying felling a tree and it going in the direction you want it to. Something my father in law had failed to show me the last time I had worked a chainsaw. The tree was cross-cut, another lesson. And then stacked up neatly all whilst sweating and smiling at the same time. The morning proved to be hard work but rewarding and again enjoyable. What was not to like? outdoors, phys and bootneck dits inbetween trees. Lunch was soon upon us, so like a pair of lumberjacks we sat on the back of the trailer of the pickup and ate and swapped stories of tours of Afghanistan and other adventures we had at different times of our services. Once the coffee was drunk and the sweat had just about stopped we were off to climb a rather substantive Ash tree Matt had spotted earlier.

Harnessed up and strapped in, helmets on and chainsaws left, Matt ascended the broad tree with the type of expertise I had witnessed a couple of months previously. It was then my turn. My turn to thrust, thrash and haul myself up to his position. Once there and after much exertion it was time to clip in and then eye up the branch I would walk out to see where the real work would take place. Matt flying around the tree, showed me the area he wanted me to get to, so after a little confidence checker and ensuring I was still attached to the rope and harness, I began the precarious walk out on the limb. Once there I realised that this is a highly skilled job and not just about monkeying around in some tree. Problem solving accuracy and confidence are part of what makes this job unique and I quickly discovered that this was the job I was looking for all those years. A couple more branch walks and ascents I also quickly discovered that physical ability is something that is required and will hopefully come with much more practice. Thoroughly exhausted and happy, it was time to descend out of the tree that had hosted our afternoon’s antics we made our way down to the ground. Hands raw, lungs breathing in large doses of clean air, and legs wobbling it was all in a day's work for a tree surgeon. What a day and what an experience. I just couldn't wait to do it all again. Pack up and back in the truck, it was time to go home. Go home and decide that this was it, time to hand my notice in. Cause as I realised in that tree sometimes you just need a little faith to take the step. To throw yourself off a perfectly good branch and have faith the next one will be just as good, if not better to go on and enjoy your job, your life.

My thanks go to Matt and Kirsty from Hi-Line, can't wait to get back up that tree. To all the lecturers at Bicton College for the knowledge they shared and of course the biggest thank you is to Anna from HighGround who really showed me the Forest through the trees. Her time and efforts with the charity have been invaluable for me and so many others out there. There really is Life beyond the military.

13 Lt Cdr Matthew Harvey RM:

I became aware of Highground and its excellent remit after a colleague signposted me to a webinar held with the Officer’s Association. Through this I contacted Anna, and she and the charity have been extremely supportive in achieving my attendance on a Rural Week at Bicton College. The week was a fantastic insight into all manner of land based careers, and with my attending with a completely open mind and only a few ideas into what I might like to do post-Service, I had my outlook completely broadened by all that was on offer. The week gave me the opportunity to focus on me and my future, and on completion I had a path mapped out in front of me as to my career. Without this week I would still be largely in the dark, and I cannot speak highly enough of the team and their care and support throughout.

For more information about HighGround please visit www.highground-uk.org or contact Anna on 07951 495272 [email protected]

14 British Ex-Forces in Business Awards 2019

The British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, the largest celebration of military veterans in the UK workforce, is now accepting nominations for its 2019 awards programme!

This high-profile event, which gathered over 500 senior business and military leaders at its inaugural award ceremony earlier this year and is anticipating over 700 at its second edition on 8 May 2019, shines a light on the post-military achievements of veterans in order to increase visibility of business role models for service leavers.

By highlighting how military-gained skills can enable business success and showcasing the strong synergies between military virtues and business excellence, we can promote the huge value that service leavers and veterans can add to the UK economy if better utilised across the workforce and celebrate those companies and organisations that take advantage of this pool of talent.

Help celebrate the excellence and potential of service leavers – find out more and nominate a veteran at exforcesinbusiness.co.uk.

15 The Royal Navy Day by Day

A fully revised and much augmented new edition of The Royal Navy Day by Day, which last appeared in 2011, will be published in November. ‘Rather like Jane’s Fighting Ships in earlier times’, writes Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Chairman of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, in his Preface, ‘this book has become an essential work of historical reference and of inspiration throughout the Fleet’.

Author Lawrie Phillips takes a wide historical sweep from the Armada to Afghanistan and beyond, concisely capturing the Royal Navy’s work in peace and war, recording what was done to it by the sea, the enemy and the Admiralty – all leavened with something of the traditions and customs, quirks and eccentricities, it has gathered around itself.

The Royal Navy’s work in the Great War is given emphasis in this centenary year. The silent but relentless blockade, across four years, brought the enemy to its knees. All this was far from public view. There were few battles in the old style and little to thrill the public. The Dreadnoughts have inspired no Hornblowers or Ramages. He quotes Admiral James Goldrick’s comment that we know more about life in HMS Victory and her sisters in 1805 than in HMS Iron Duke and the Grand Fleet a century and more later.

There is plenty of humour in this book and much to raise a chuckle and the occasional belly laugh, all of it quite beautifully judged. Some images are quirky. The post-war photograph of Admiral Jellicoe riding a donkey at the Pyramids en route to New Zealand after the war is a winner and the author illustrates the Navy’s humanitarian work in the Spanish Civil War with, not an action shot, but with a group picture of Mrs Rodney Hudson’s Troup of Dancing Girls on the forecastle of the cruiser HMS London which had taken them off from Barcelona in July 1936.

16 The book is a tribute to the Royal Navy but it is not a company history. It records just a few of the own goals and dropped catches down the years which serve to give added credibility and emphasis to the rest. ‘Not all Captains RN have been Horatio Nelsons’, the author writes and he suggests that what Tolstoy said of families in Anna Karenina, may be said of ships ‘all happy ships are alike; every unhappy ship is unhappy in its own way’. The point is touched on but not overdone.

Engagements in the first Anglo-Dutch War of the seventeenth century share a page with the arrival at Portsmouth of HMS Queen Elizabeth; the story of the Armada appears with the cutting of the first steel for the first Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow. The sweep is wide and the entries are well-judged. ‘I am indebted to Lawrie Phillips for his hard work, passion and keen eye for historical significance’, writes Admiral Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord, in his Foreword to a splendid publication which is dedicated by the gracious permission of The Queen to the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy The Royal Navy ‘Probably one of the most well-thumbed and valued books Captains of Her THE Majesty’s Ships possess.’ Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, ROyAL The Naval Review NAvy DAy by DAy

he Royal Navy Day by Day, the splendid history of T the Senior Service across five hundred years, presented as a diary of daily events, has become a ‘This book has become an essential work of reference and of familiar and much-loved part of the embrokeshire-born Lawrie Royal Navy and Royal Marines. It is Phillips worked with the inspiration throughout the Fleet . . . a remarkable publication the standard naval history reference PMinistry of Defence at home . . . a tremendous achievement.’ and abroad for thirty-five years as a book employed daily throughout the specialist media officer. He served Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Chairman, National Museum of Fleet. Here are recorded not just great battles but also minor actions with the RAF and Army before the Royal Navy returning to Whitehall to be press by small ships, and the service of officer to the Secretary of State for men and women, sailors, Royal Defence. Lawrie Phillips is an old THE Marines, the WRNS, aircrew, ‘The Royal Navy thrives on history: it is a vital part of how the Day by Day China hand; he operated in the Far submariners, and RFA and Merchant East during the 1970s as the British Navy understands itself. And one book which has been Navy personnel, down the joint services Director of Public omnipresent through the making of this series is The Royal generations. It is also the Royal Relations, based in Hong Kong, and Navy Day by Day by Lawrie Phillips.’ Navy’s own story – what was done covering a wide parish. In the 1980s ROyAL NAvy to it by the sea, the enemy and the he was Fleet PR Officer to successive Britain at Sea, BBC Radio 4 Admiralty – and the traditions and Commanders-in-Chief Fleet customs, the quirks and eccentricities (including Operation Corporate in it has gathered around itself. This 1982) and later at Naval Home ‘Now an absolutely essential book of reference . . . DAy by DAy book is a tribute to the Royal Navy Command. After a long tour as meticulously researched . . . absolutely compulsive reading.’ but it is not a company history; it Head of Publicity at the MOD, he records just a few of the Navy’s was glad to escape to Northwood in Rear Admiral Richard Hill in The Naval Review dropped catches and own goals 1996 as the first Head of Media which give added credibility to this

Operations at the new Permanent PHILLIPS LAWRIE very fine record. The Royal Navy Joint Headquarters. His last ‘[Lawrie Phillips is] a leading naval historian with a deep Day by Day is highly regarded in the operational tour was in Bosnia. admiration for the Royal Navy and a profound understanding Royal Navy and it is issued to all Sometime Lieutenant-Commander HM ships and establishments. First RNR and Lieutenant-Colonel Royal of its business.’ published in 1979, this expanded Engineers (V), he is a vice president fifth edition has been thoroughly of the Society for Nautical Research Admiral Rt Hon. Baron West of Spithead 9 0 1 0 0 LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER LAWRIE PHILLIPS TD, RD, RNR revised, updated and contains many and a former vice president of the fresh images. Navy Records Society. FOREWORD by ADMIRAL SIR PHILIP JONES KCb, ADC, FIRST SEA LORD 9 780750 982665 www.thehistorypress.co.uk PREFACE by ADMIRAL SIR JONATHON bAND, GCb, DL, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROyAL NAvy £60.00

The Royal Navy Day by Day By Lt-Cdr Lawrie Phillips The History Press Price £60 ISBN 978 0 7509 8266 5

17 YOUR WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION

The White Ensign Association was created almost 60 years ago in a collaboration between senior figures in the City of London and the Board of the Admiralty, and the makeup of its council of trustees today still very much reflects its maritime and financial roots with a mix of influential figures from the City and distinguished retired senior officers. They charge the small staff of the WEA with the performance of four key roles in support of serving and former members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and their families:

• Guidance and advice on the transition from a career and life in the • Royal Navy to one out of uniform. • The provision of unbiased and professional guidance on matters of • personal finance including financial awareness training for all newly • joined sailors and marines. • Advice and assistance on all matters of civilian employment including • job hunting techniques, CV guidance, mentoring, business start up • and self-employment. • Assistance and support on welfare and personal matters.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FROM THE WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION If you are preparing for employment outside the Service, The White Ensign Association can help you with a number of issues, including:

• CV and Covering Letter Advice • Interview Skills • Networking • Industry and Sector Advice • Job Hunting and Career Planning • Introduction to Industry Partners as appropriate • The Association also has a number of Mentors and Network Advisers that can help you with various specific areas of your employment journey

We provide individual, bespoke and in-depth advice and pride ourselves on the quality of our advice as well as our highly personalised approach to our clients.

YOUR WEA TEAM

Chief Executive and Area Representative for the South & South East - Captain John Lavery MVO Royal Navy

Director Finance, Company Secretary & Area Representative for Central, North, Scotland & Overseas - Lieutenant Commander Mike Howell Royal Navy

Regional Manager South East - Mr David Scholey

Regional Manager South West - Mr Martin Small

Director Employment Services - Mr Dom Hill

Administrative & Digital Support Manager – Miss Marina Maher

Tel: 0207 407 8658 email: [email protected]

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